Minimum specs needed for an iPhone development machine?

a base macbook pro would work or a mac mini.

 

http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/apply.html

From Apple:

A hackintosh will work too. Your G4 won't work.

 

Should be just about any Mini. Just be sure to get an Intel Mini (2nd generation or later).

 

That would work great too, just get 2gb of ram though.

 

Any intel mac would work.

 

Um, let's keep things legal. Never mind what isn't postulated about the illegal ware:

1. Those who hack OS X might just be putting in spyware or malware of their own.
2. Hardware compatibility is another issue. Those distros only work on select hardware configurations (desktop or laptop).
3. When Apple updates its OS, Hackintosh will break.
4. Semi-related to point 2, reliability is a concern. And if there is a kernel panic, the lameoid user of Hackintosh will undoubtedly blame Apple for it all. (*sigh*)
5. It's against the EULA.
6. Mac hardware itself is usually made with high quality components. The Mac Pro's construction blew me away with its simple yet solid nature. Even installing hard drives or peripheral cards... NO CABLES to get in the way. Really brilliant design work...
7. Apple survives by selling their branded hardware. People stealing OS X will then wonder why Apple goes out of business.

6.5, because I hate going in chronological order. I won't deny that maybe Apple can lower its prices as need be to follow suit if or when Intel drops prices (inventory of higher end models can't be high as they even solder the CPUs to the system board (which also helps improve reliability, I took electronics class in the mid-80s)), but that's a minor point. Apple has everything custom-made when possible. And I've worked with Dells and other generic PC pish-posh. Apple's IS quality material.

Yes, generic PCs have some of the same hardware. If they really were the same, Hackintosh wouldn't exist.

 

If you really want to argue the merits of a hackintosh and how it may or may not harm Apple's bottom line, troll one of the other hundreds of threads, although i'm sure you've already made your rounds. Don't spew your nonsense here.

Anyway OP, a hackintosh will work fine for development purposes, though your Macbook will be a good choice. I'd up to a Macbook Pro so you can have more display options in the future (mini-dvi vs displayport on the MBP)

Lets try to stay on topic.